Most accidents happen in the home, where we might think children are safest. Child Safety Week aims to help families understand the risks and offer simple ways that accidents can be prevented.

Help us to spread the word about child safety!

Safety in the Home

Burns and scalds – Common causes of burns and scalds include hot drinks, hot oven hobs and doors, and hair straighteners.

The skin of a new-born baby is 15 times thinner than that of an adult. A mug of tea or coffee with milk left standing for 10 minutes can still scald a baby or toddler in less than 1 and a half seconds.

Put your hot drink well out of reach – don’t rely on young children to understand not to touch

Keep hair straighteners out of reach when you are using them. Hair straighteners can still burn 15 minutes after they are switched off.

Bath water can cause a serious scald in just 5 seconds – put the cold water in first and top up with hot in case your toddler falls in.

Babies in cots can trap arms or legs against radiators – move cots away from radiators and fit fireguards around fires and heaters.

Poisoning – Everyday children are rushed to hospital because they might have swallowed something poisonous. Most poisoning is from everyday medicines such as painkillers. Remember – some 3-4 year olds can open child safety caps in seconds!

Babies and toddlers learn by putting things in their mouths. Cleaning products and liquitabs are bright coloured and particularly attractive!

When giving children medicine, never pretend that it is a treat or a sweet – they might get the wrong idea about other medicines.

When you visit other people’s houses, medicines and cleaning things may be easier to get to.

Keep medicines and cleaning products out of sight and reach, in a locked cabinet if you can.

Don’t leave your handbag on the floor.

How to treat poisonings:

Don’t make the child sick, or give them anything to eat or drinks

Get medical help immediately. If the child is being sick, blacking out, having fits or is very sleepy, call 999 for an ambulance or go to A&E straight away.

Remember to take the package/bottle with you to hospital.

Safe Sleeping –Sleep is really important for babies and toddlers. You can help your baby to sleep safely and soundly by following the tips below:

Always place your baby on their back to sleep

Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months

Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition

Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby

Avoid letting your baby get too hot

Don’t cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping, or use loose bedding

Don’t forget that these safety tips are just as important when you are staying with friends, relatives or away on holiday.

With summer fast approaching, it’s important to remember to keep safe whilst enjoying the good weather.

Sun Safety – Whilst it’s great to be playing outside and enjoying the sunny weather, it’s important to keep children safe from the sun. Exposing a child’s skin to too much sun can increase their risk of developing skin cancer later in life, as well as causing pain and discomfort in the short-term.

Encourage your child to play in the shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its strongest.

Keep babies under 6 months old out of direct sunlight

Use sunscreen on your child, even on cloudy or overcast days, and reapply throughout the day

Protect your child’s eyes with sunglasses that meet the British Standard and carry the “CE” mark